Variable spark gap for engine ignition systems



INVENTORS April 5, 1966 H. BERG ETAL VARIABLE SPARK GAP FOR ENGINE IGNITION SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 24, 1964 United States Patent C 3,244,924 VARIABLE SPARK GAP FOR ENGINE IGNITION SYSTEMS Harry Berg, 16156 Santa Rosa, Detroit, Mich., and Arthur R. Kinish, Detroit, Mich; said Kinish assignor to said Berg Fil'ed Feb. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 346,977 6 Claims. (Cl. 313-146) This application relates to a variable spark gap adapted to be introduced into ignition systems. This is different from spark intensifiers, which in general are well known; and one example of same is illustrated in the patent to Kane 2,736,760.

The principal Object of the present invention is to provide a variable spark gap of suitable form characterized by the fact that contacts of the spark gap, whose adjacent ends define a spark gap, may be moved towards and away from each other conveniently for varying the spark gap between the adjacent ends of the contacts, or for closing the same. 7

A still further object is to provide a convenient arr'angement for moving the contacts relatively as for example by rotating a part of the device which mounts the upper contact with respect to the part of the device which mounts the lower contact, there being threads or a cam and pin arrangement or the like, connecting the two parts so that rotation of the one part with respect to the other varies the spark gap between the adjacent ends of the contact.

A still further object is to provide a remote control operation means for moving one of the contacts with respect to the other so as to vary the spark gap between them, or to close the gap.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the appended drawing and described in the following specification.

In this drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the variable spark gap,

per se.

FIG. 2 is a sectional thereof with associated parts for remote operation.

FIG. 3 is a section on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view with the variable spark gap assembled into the high tension coil.

The drawing shows a variable spark gap comprising a body of insulation material having in its upper part 11 a concealed receptacle type contact 12 for the terminal 13 of cable 14 from a high tension coil 45, such as in FIG. 4. The body in its lower part 16 mounts an exposed metal prong contact 18 adapted to fit inside the socket 29 of a distributor cap 22. Alternately, contact 18 may be fitted into the output socket of high tension coil 45 as in FIG. 4.

The adjacent ends of the contacts 12 and 18 define a spark gap.

The device is characterized by certain aspects of novelty which will now be described in detail.

The device includes threaded formations 30 which adjustably connect the upper and lower parts 11 and 16 of the body whereby rotation of the upper part 11 with respect to the lower part 16 provides an adjustable connection between the upper and lower parts of the body for varying the gap between the adjacent ends of the contacts. Instead of threads, a cam and pin connection or the like may be employed.

For enabling the upper part 11 of the body to be rotated conveniently for such purpose, the upper part is formed with a gear type ring 32 which can conveniently be rotated manually for such adjustment.

If desired, however, and as illustrated, gear 32 may Patented Apr. 5, 1966 be rotated by remote control means such as a knob 34 mounted on the automobile dashboard 36 or steering column and connected by a flexible connecting wire 38 to a pinion 40 suitably mounted and meshing with gear 32. Rotation of knob 34 as desired, in turn operating through parts 38 and 40, causes rotation of gear 32 and of the upper part of the body 11 for the purposes described.

The knob 34 may be formed with suitable indication means as illustrated for indicating the extent of its rotation and the effective variation of the spark gap between the body contacts 12'and 18.

A spring detent 44 is shown as mounted upon the lower part 16 of the body for inhibiting excessive rotation of the upper part 11 of the body by its interlocking engagement at 46 with the gear 32, or knurled surface.

The variable spark gap is particularly useful to provide a hotter spark for engine starting, especially in cold and damp areas, and particularly in but not limited to older model cars, otherwise difficult to start in certain climates. The remote control for adjusting the gap also permits complete closing of the contacts, if desired, once the engine is started, for normal operation.

Referring to FIG. 2, the nipple 47 projected down within the upper part 11 of the body, is loosely positioned therein so that throughout any rotary adjustment of the upper part 11 of the body, the said nipple 47 remains stationary with respect to the coil contact 13.

Operation The present variable spark gap is adapted for operation under moist or cold weather conditions and or where the plugs are shorted or defective. The present variable spark gap is particularly adapted for the starting of a cold engine and for completing the electrical circuit in the ignition system. Under certain conditions of climate or moisture, the normal coil 45 and its connected lead wire 14 may be insufficient to produce a hot enough spark for starting the engine or alternately some or all of the plugs may be partly defective or shorted depriving engine of needed power as required.

In the present spark gap and in providing a means for regulating the spark gap between contacts 12 and 18, an improved ignition is provided for firing the cylinders. The extent or increase of the spark achieved is regulated by controlling this gap either manually or by remote control, FIG. 2. The upper part of body 11 is movable relatively to the lower part 16 throughout a predetermined range which is limited by the fianged stop 48, FIG. 2.

If the engine when initially started does not fire smoothly or operate smoothly, the variable spark gap may be manually adjusted to modify or regulate the gap between contacts 12 and 18 until the engine does run smoothly. Thereafter, the engine may run at the setting established between said contacts or, if desired, this gap can be reduced or completely eliminated once the engine is heated up and is in continuous operation. This is optional with the user.

In the illustrative embodiment the variable spark gap 19 receives contact 13 from coil 14. Contact 18 is assembled into the distributor 22. Under some conditions the cable 14 itself may be shorted or ineffective to deliver a proper spark to the distributor. In that case the present spark gap may be used, as shown in FIG. 4, with its contact 18 projected into the output of the high tension coil 45. One contact of cable 14 is received within nipple 47 of the spark gap and contact 13 at the opposite end of said cable is projected into socket 20 of the distributor.

Now having described the variable spark gap herein disclosed, characterized by its construction enabling adjustment of the spark gap and remote control operation A 3 for such adjustment, reference should be had to the claims which follow.

We claim: a 1. A variable spark gap for engine ignition systems comprising a body having in its upper part a concealed receptacle type contact for a high tension coil cable terminal and having in its lower part an exposed metal prong contact adapted to fit inside the distributor socket, with the adjacent ends of said contacts defining a spark gap; said body having its upper and lower parts separate from each other; and cans for adjustably connecting the upper and lower parts of the body fortenabling the upper and lower parts to be moved to and from each other for varying and for selectively closing the gap between the adjacent ends of the contacts, the connecting means comprising cooperating threads on the upper and lower parts of the body; and wherein the upper part is formed with means enabling it to be rotated conveniently for moving the upper part and its contact towards and away from the lower part and its contact for varying the gap between the adjacent ends of the contacts, the means for rotating the upper part comprising a gear means formed on the upper part.

2. A variable spark gap for engine ignition systems comprising a body having in its upper part a concealed receptacle type contact for a high tension coil cable terminal and having in its lower part an exposed metal prong contact adapted to fit inside the distributor socket,

with the adjacent ends of said contacts defining a spark said body having its upper and lower parts separate from each other; and

means for adjustably connecting the upper and lower parts of the body for enabling the upper and lower parts to be moved to and from each other for varying and for selectively closing the gap between the adjacent "ends of the contacts, the connecting means comprising cooperating threads on the upper and lower parts of the body; and wherein the upper.

insulated nipple loosely assembled down into the upper part of the body receiving and retaining said receptacle type contact, said latter contact being loose relative to said. upper part and longitudinally movable therewith.

5, A variable spark gap for engine ignition systems comprising a body having in one part a concealed receptacle type contact adapted to receive the contact at one end of a high tension cable;

the contact at the other end of said high tension cable adapted to fit into a distributor socket;

said body having in its other part an exposed metal prong contact adapted to fit inside the outlet socket of a high tension ignition coil;

with the adjacent ends of said contacts defining a spark 'said body having and means a-djustably connecting one of the parts of the body relative to the other for enabling the said parts to be moved to and from each other for varying and for selectively closing the gap between the adjacent ends of the contacts, the connecting means comprising cooperating threads on the respective parts of the body; and wherein the one part is formed with means enabling it to be rotated conveniently for moving said one part and its contact towards and away from the other part and its contact for varying the gap between the adjacent ends of the contacts, the means for rotating said one part comprising a gear means formed on said one part.

6. A variable spark gap for engine ignition systems comprising a body having in its upper part a concealed receptacle type contact for a high tension coil cable terminal and having in its lower part an exposed metal prong contact adapted to fit inside the distributor socket, with the adjacent ends of said contacts defining a spark gap;

said body having its upper and lower parts separate from each other; and

means adjustably connecting the upper and lower parts of the body, said connecting means comprising cooperating threads on the upper and lower parts of the body; and wherein the uppertpart is formed with its parts separate from each other;

means enabling it to be rotated conveniently for 'moving the upper part and its contact towards and away from the lower part and its contact for varying the gap between the adjacent ends of the contacts, said upper part being operable remotely from the variable spark gap device and during the operation thereof. 7

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,092 6/ 1931 Stewart 313-147 1,497,988 6/1924 Rowan 313-147 2,014,064 9/1935 Claybrook 313-268 X 2,607,811 8/1952 McCoy 313-149 X 2,819,428 1/1958 Bowlus et al. 315-213 JOHN w. HUCKERT, Primary Examiner,

A. J. JAMES, AssistanfExaminer, 

1. A VARIABLE SPARK GAP FOR ENGINE IGNITION SYSTEMS COMPRISING A BODY HAVING IN ITS UPPER PART A CONCEALED RECEPTACLE TYPE CONTACT FOR A HIGH TENSION COIL CABLE TERMINAL AND HAVING IN ITS LOWER PART AN EXPOSED METAL PRONG CONTACT ADAPTED TO FIT INSIDE THE DISTRIBUTOR SOCKET, WITH THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID CONTACTS DEFINING A SPARK GAP; SAID BODY HAVING ITS UPPER AND LOWER PARTS SEPARATE FROM EACH OTHER; AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY CONNECTING THE UPPER AND LOWER PARTS OF THE BODY FOR ENABLING THE UPPER AND LOWER PARTS TO BE MOVED TO AND FROM EACH OTHER FOR VARYING AND FOR SELECTIVELY CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN THE ADJACENT ENDS OF THE CONTACTS, THE CONNECTING MEANS COMPRISING COOPERATING THREADS ON THE UPPER AND LOWER PARTS OF THE BODY; AND WHEREIN THE UPPER PART IS FORMED WITH MEANS ENABLING IT TO BE ROTATED CONVENIENTLY FOR MOVING THE UPPER PART AND ITS CONTACT TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM THE LOWER PART AND ITS CONTACT FOR VARYING THE GAP BETWEEN THE ADJACENT ENDS OF THE CONTACTS, THE MEANS FOR ROTATING THE UPPER PART COMPRISING A GEAR MEANS FORMED ON THE UPPER PART. 